After surviving six elimination games, Oregon State would shutout Arkansas 5-0 to claim the 2018 College World Series championship Thursday.
The Beavers were just one out away from second place in game two of the series final Wednesday. Thanks to a hit by Cadyn Grenier and a two-run home run by Trevor Larnach, the Beavers would rally in the ninth forcing a third and decisive game.
In game three Oregon State snagged the lead early with two runs in the first, the Beavers would follow it up with single runs in the third, fifth and eighth innings. A record-setting complete shutout game by freshman pitcher Kevin Abel would clinch the game and the title for Oregon State. Abel gave up just two hits and no runs in nine full innings. It was the first complete shutout where a pitcher allowed two or less hits in College World Series history.
Catcher Adley Rutschman was named the tournament MVP after setting a CWS record of his own with 17 hits to go along with 13 RBI. The Beavers became the tenth team in history to win the CWS title after losing their opening game, and just the fifth team to win the championship after losing game one of the final series. The championship is Oregon State’s third national title after back-to-back title wins in 2006 and 2007.
